Impaired driver stopped with spike belt on third try

An alleged impaired driver avoided a spike belt, deployed by officers, twice, before being stopped and arrested by RCMP this morning.

Police had pulled the male driver over at around 10:30am near Leathead Road after receiving reports that he was driving erratically, but he fled northbound, towards Lake Country.

Officers did not pursue him on the ground, but monitored him from the sky and tried to stop him with a spike belt, which was successful on their third attempt near Oceola Road.

“This effectively deflated the tires of the suspect vehicle,” says Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. “Uniformed and plain clothed officers from the Kelowna and Lake Country RCMP, supported by the RCMP Central Okanagan Traffic Services converged on the vehicle and subsequently took the man into police custody without further incident.”

Police have seized undisclosed quantities of suspected illicit drugs during the man’s arrest.

The 34-year-old Vernon man faces several potential charges. He remains in police custody and is expected to undergo a drug influence evaluation.

If you witnessed this incident and have not yet spoken to police you are asked to contact Cst. Brad Smith of the Kelowna RCMP Municipal Traffic Section at 250-762-3300.